Our Testimonials

It’s an honor to have a chance to express my gratitude to the most beautiful woman whom I admired and respect. My story was like an open book sitting on a shelf for years collecting dust and no one cared to read. Until one day, I contacted Malia Sanchez the owner of Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy and begged to consider offering evening classes for students like me that couldn’t afford to leave my full-time job to pursue my passion to be educated in the field of Esthetics.
Malia Sanchez opened her doors to me and my classmates. She knows from experience exactly how we feel. She has been there she understands the struggles we go through and that’s what makes her “An Inspiration” to me. Her loving heart and her dedication to be the Best Mentor to lead others is a true reflection of who she is. I am so lucky to have found Makana Esthetic Wellness Academy because it gave me quality education in the Esthetics field and a lot more than I expected. The knowledgeable instructors Makana has are the best, they inspired me every day to achieve my fullest potential. I consider them my Mentors and I will forever have love and respect for the entire Makana Staff.
Makana, teaches you the Values and Moral Principles to be a professional Esthetician. I also am so grateful for the referrals and job assistance I received after graduation. They’ll be my lifelong friends and faithful mentors. If you chose to attend Makana I’m sure you’ll feel the same as I do. Makana is dedicated and passionate about its student’s education and growth not only in school but after graduation and throughout your whole career. To me, following my dreams is the most fulfilling achievement I have accomplished and I’m so proud that I am a Makana Alumni.
I will be forever grateful and proud. I have that “Heart Center” (The Makana Foundation) in my heart forever!!

Darlene Caldwell Makana Graduate 2016 - Esthetician / Lash Artist

It wasn't easy for me to return to school but everyone at Makana, from the Instructors to my classmates made the experience so great. Makana provided me with a strong foundation in Esthetics. The program is challenging but it prepared me well for the beauty industry. Immediately after graduation I was referred to my first job interview and with the help of Malia and her connections I was hired, only 3 weeks’ post-graduation of Makana. If you have the opportunity to go to school and you have a passion for skin care, go to Makana Academy.

Kristin Tona Makana Alumni 2016

Choosing Makana Academy was the best decision that I have ever made! I absolutely loved every step in the journey I made throughout my schooling. My class size was five girls which was perfect because we received the individual attention and help that we needed. The instructors were always our number one fans and they were wonderful at accommodating our different learning styles; slide-shows, games, hands-on, study groups, etc. Even after graduating, I still receive so much encouragement and help. Every question that I have had about the licensing process, my state board, or even decisions with my career, each one of them has helped guide me in the right direction. My career has thrived from the job referrals that Malia has given. She has known what my dream has been and because of her I now work as a medical aesthetician! Malia, Tiana, Lisa and each one of my classmates have truly become my second family. If I could go through the entire course again, I would!

Veronica Gella Makana Graduate 2015 - License Aesthetician

It all started in 2010 when I obtained a receptionist position at a plastic surgeon’s office. It was there that my curiosity for aesthetics grew. I wanted to attend school to become a licensed aesthetician, and that year I searched online and found Makana Wellness Academy. Two daughters and three jobs later in 2015 I was able to enroll at Makana! At that point in my life I worked at Sephora and was very passionate about skin care and determined to become an aesthetician. When I started school, my youngest was just three weeks old. With the support of my mother and amazing husband, my accomplishments were made possible.
Malia was honest and told me in the beginning that the course would be a challenge, but with hard work and dedication I could do it! I found that to be true and the daily drive from Waianae to Honolulu didn’t make it any easier. Attending Makana Wellness Academy was one of the best decisions I made in my life. Not one day went by that I didn’t study to pass the daily exams, not to mention all the extra projects we were assigned. Once we passed theory, and passed all of our practical services we moved to the Student Spa with real clients! We were always booked, and it was amazing practice for the future.
In between all the homework, projects, work books, and exams I built a lifetime of friendships with the other Makana girls and instructors. The instructors are so passionate about teaching and pushing you to succeed. Lisa, Tiana, and Malia are amazing mentors in my life and I still have a strong relationship with them all! To say they are just instructors would be an understatement, they pour their hearts and souls into making sure every Makana girl succeeds and continues to do so even after you graduate! I am proud to say I attended Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy and that I’m a fulltime working licensed aesthetician! Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy changed my life and set me up for success!

Rina Terada Makana Graduate 2013 - Owner of HELLO BOMBSHELL

I graduated from Makana a few years ago, and I can say with absolute confidence that choosing this school was the BEST decision I've ever made for my career. The instructors, staff members, and Malia truly care about each student and have so much passion about their work. At this school, not only did I receive quality education but learned about time management, great work ethics and creating a mindset for myself that made me capable of achieving what I have today.

Stephanie D. Chan Account Executive for Valmont Group & Bliss.

When Malia told me about opening her school, I applauded her as what is currently available [for esthetic training] is not done on the behalf of the student’s knowledge and personal growth. I know those of you who are considering a career in this industry will do it from your heart and for your client(s)! Malia does everything from her heart and has great compassion for those individuals that she touches.

Debbie Viloria Makeup Artist/Cosmetologist

The makeup course at Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy provided me the knowledge and confidence to perform services when working at a special event. Classes were small which gave instructors the attentiveness to each student. Their passion and dedication will train future professionals to have a glorious & exciting career in the beauty industry.

Torri Jakes Trainer & Consultant

Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy is truly a gift with a sincere commitment to both Hawaiian culture and aesthetics; it will be no surprise that the Academy will offer the promise of success. Malia Sanchez has a passion to develop knowledgeable, well-trained estheticians to deliver rich, relaxing, therapeutic treatments to satisfied patrons. This combined with her incredible dedication and unsurpassed integrity will make the Academy not only a success but the producer of perhaps the nations best educated.

Nia Johansen Makana Student January 2010

Hi my name is Nia Johansen, I have been at Makana for almost three months and I can’t believe how much I have learned already. Makana is the place to be if you want to become a well rounded esthetician. I am not just saying this; I have truly done my research on the island schools, including starting at another school that seemed good at the time, to end up completely disappointed. Here at Makana things are the way you would expect an Esthetics School to be. The school is run in a spa setting and from day one it’s been a fountain of information. In no time you feel like you belong, everyone here works together to create a serene and comfortable learning environment. One of the things that I love most about Makana is the philosophy of giving back and nurturing your community.
There is so much to learn and the instructors take their time to ensure that we are learning the proper techniques and that we know our material, so when it comes time to take our State Boards Test we are well prepared. Makana has set a standard in the spa and beauty community and I am proud to be a Makana Student. I am so exited; I can’t wait to apply all the things I have learned here to my future in Esthetics.

Chelsea Ake Makana Student January 2010

The first thing that interested me in Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy was the spa setting. I walked in and immediately I felt calm and relaxed. Everything is well organized, color coordinated, and you can really see that a lot of hard work and planning was put into this school. This made me think that if so much effort and dedication was put into building the school, the effort and dedication to the educational program must be equal. When I met the students I could see they had great confidence in the instructors and the learning materials. It was evident that the Principal, Malia and the Instructors Ms Rhonda, Dale and the rest of the staff were professionals in the field of esthetics.
I am now very happy to be attending Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy. I learn something new every day and I know one day I will take all that I’ve learned and achieve my goals in the field of Esthetics.

My decision to attend Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy was the brightest point in my search for a new career in the health and wellness industry. If you are considering esthetics as a profession, be assured that the training you will receive at Makana is truly exceptional and the attention provided to each student is unsurpassed. Attending Makana was a wonderful investment, and I graduated readily equipped to work in this rewarding field.”

Yasmin Graulau Makana Graduate December 2009

I believe my calling has always been to help people see their own true beauty. So for me, it seemed only natural to enter the field of esthetics, thus bringing me to research esthetics schools in the Honolulu area. Through my research, I found that Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy was the most modern, using advanced equipment and education compared too [other] schools in the area. I have enjoyed attending Makana because of the knowledge and dedication of the staff. The instructors are definitely there to help the students become subject-matter experts and the guidance from the director, Malia Sanchez, is invaluable. I’m excited to share with you my passion for beauty and my own experiences with Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy.

Mandy Vincent Makana Graduate October 2009

I did my research on esthetics training on Oahu. No other esthetics school on Oahu can compare to Makana. Malia, the Director and owner of Makana Academy, as well as the instructors, have been great teachers and supporters of all their students. They make learning fun and exciting. I got to learn advanced esthetics training and my core esthetics; this prepared me for work right out of school. Every day I woke up looking forward to going to school. We learn and grow from each other in a peaceful and friendly environment.